University of Sheffield

School of Architecture
ARC6770
Thermal Response and
Bioclimatic Analysis
Dr Adrian Pitts

Effect of Building Design

Introduction
Four environmental parameters identified as
affecting comfort:
air temperature
relative humidity
air velocity
mean radiant temperature
External climate is modified by the building
to create internal combinations of these
parameters

Thermal Response
and Timelag

Buildings can be designed to modify

climate so that the combination of
parameters experienced is as close to
comfort as possible
Two factors to be dealt with:
response of building fabric to climate
variations
analysis of the design potential to create
comfort

Thermal Weight of Building

Lightweight vs. Heavyweight

Lightweight
e.g. timber frame, lightweight materials building warms up quickly, cools down
quickly suited to intermittent heating and
occupancy
Heavyweight:
e.g. heavy masonry building warms up
slowly, cools down slowly suited to
longer occupancy evens out temperature
fluctuations

Using Climatic Data for Design

Bioclimatic Analysis
Analyse aspects of external climate to
indicate affect on comfort
Use basic chart showing temperature and
humidity add in effects of air movement
(wind) and radiation from the sun
First architects to formalise the methods
were the Olgyay brothers (Victor and
Aladar)

Use of charts for external

climate analysis

Building Bioclimatic Charts

In addition to plotting the climate details to
make assessments about the external
climate, modified charts can be used to
examine the effects of the building on the
internal bioclimate
Features of buildings can be assessed by
their potential to modify the external
conditions to achieve comfort
Control Potential Zones can be drawn on
the bioclimatic charts

Control Potential Zones

Control potential zones can be identified for
several design effects including:
Shade (basic)
Passive solar heating
Thermal mass damping of temperature
fluctuations
Air movement/ventilation cooling
Evaporative cooling

Mahoney Tables

air
movement
thermal shade thermal
mass comfort mass
passive
evaporative
solar
cooling
heating

Software Version: ARCHIPAK

Bioclimatic design tool developed for hot

climates
Uses a series of decision tables to determine
design advice from a selected list